LANSING ó The Michigan House and Senate each passed controversial right-to-work legislation today, amid loud protests and a walkout by Democratic legislators.

The state House passed the first right-to-work bill late this afternoon in a 58-52 vote, but that bill canít move on to the Senate until the next session day -- possibly Friday, if a session is scheduled -- because of a procedural move by Democrats who are asking that the vote be reconsidered. The state Senate voted 22-16 to pass a right-to-work bill. Four Republicans -- Tory Rocca of Sterling Heights, Tom Casperson of Escanaba, Mike Nofs of Battle Creek and Mike Green of Mayville -- joined with all the Democrats in opposing the bill.

As soon as the Senate vote was taken, the gallery started shouting "Shame on you.". . .

20. DITTO ^^^^^^

12. Those outstate bigots get outvoted in every recent pres. election

I just think the larger urban centers were uninspired by that entire gubernatorial election. I remember a distinct feeling that the entire state was sleep walking throughout. I had a Bernero sticker on my car, a sign on my lawn. But I never got the feeling anybody cared. I further wondered about the state of Michigan media.

I think Michigan voters are like Michigan weather. Ya just never know.

At the same time, the Michigan Democratic Party really perplexed me. It seemed to take them FOREVER to get their shit together. All the goofing around trying to find a candidate, good grief. Nothing against Mark Brewer, I have only an inkling of what he was up against...but the fact remains, and here we are with fucking Snyderly Whiplash turning us into a Right To Work For Less state. That's awesome.

15. I was there today

when the republicans locked the doors and refused to let anyone inside the building. State police ended up teargassing and then arresting eight people around noontime who were trying to get in to see what the legislature was doing. About four p.m. someone announced that a Judge had issued an injunction declaring that the state had to reopen the building, and about 400 or so demonstrators outside began chanting "Let us in! Let us in!"